The Milan-Cortina Olympic Games will open in two weeks, on December 6. This is a major moment in the tenure of Kirsty Coventry, who took the helm of the IOC last June. The Zimbabwean spoke at length about her expectations for these Games on Wednesday during a roundtable discussion with the international press.
One watchword: trust
The IOC president expressed her enthusiasm ahead of the event, emphasizing " the magnificent sites "Which will host the events." We saw some very good test events " she said, an obvious allusion to the Santagiulia ice rinkwhere work continues to be able to welcome hockey players, spectators and media in the best conditions.
Christophe Dubi, the IOC's executive director of the Olympic Games, was on site on Tuesday. When you arrive outside, it's a magnificent, spectacular arenahe welcomes. Now, as with the skating rink (in Cortina), there's still work to be done. It's a complex project that started late, but 1.600 workers are on site every day. We're confident; the test event provided assurances about the quality of the ice. Half of the locker rooms are ready, and the rest will be within a few days. There won't be any problems for the start of the competition. »
This confidence is all the greater given that Christophe Dubi has visited several other competition venues in recent days, and has been thoroughly impressed. Have you ever realized how fantastic your country is?he said, addressing the Italian journalists. I was in Livigno, it's breathtaking. I'm very excited. It's the first time in twenty years that we've returned to the Alps and we have every right to be enthusiastic. »
"Finding a balance between sustainability and experience"
One of the challenges of this edition will be evaluating the new, more spread-out Games model, designed to leverage as much existing infrastructure as possible. We need to find a balance between sustainability and experienceCoventry explains. I think we made the right decision with a more dispersed Games model. We have fewer new venues, but we have venues that athletes know and that have proven successful. It's true that this adds complexity for the media, the IOC, the NOCs, and so on. We can learn from Milan-Cortina, examine things, and take stock. We'll need to have discussions. There's no easy answer. Yes, this model is more sustainable, but it adds complexity. We're trying things out, we'll see if they work, and if necessary, we can adjust them next time. »
« For me, the first element that will allow us to measure the success of the Games is the experience, and that always starts with the athletes. ", adds Christophe Dubi. The Frenchman is optimistic about this, since there will be " a sort of Champions Park everywhere "So as to celebrate the athletes, and so that they too will have the opportunity to participate in the opening ceremony, even from Livigno, Cortina or Predazzo." I had dinner with Marco Balich; he gave me chills as he introduced me to the ceremony. " he confided, also emphasizing " the efforts of the organizing committee "to put the athletes in the best possible conditions."
And now? Kirsty Coventry, speaking from Lausanne, will arrive in Milan on Monday. She will participate in the IOC Executive Board meetings on January 31 and February 1. She will then attend the unveiling of the Olympic Truce mural in the Athletes' Village square, followed by the 145th IOC Session, which opens on February 2 at La Scala opera house. The "Fit for the Future" process, the activities of the organizing committees, and the amendment of the Olympic Charter will be among the topics on the agenda.
